Cupcake Explosion (Cupcakes 4)

“Lena,” I replied, then called out, “Lena, go take a quick shower, then come down to get your hair done.”

Then I turned to Clarice and said, “I’ll shower while you’re working on her.”

“Great, but go ahead and leave your hair as it is, okay? Don’t wash it.”

I nodded, then left her to set up while I went to check on everyone in the kitchen.

“She went to get in the shower,” Cade’s mom said when I walked in. “And, we’re about to head out.”

They’d already cleaned up the kitchen and put everything away, so I went to give them each a hug and said, “See you in a little while.”

Cade’s mom held me for a few extra seconds and said, “I’m so happy that you’re joining our family. I know you’re going to make Cade very happy.”

I squeezed her tightly and said, “Thank you. We already think of you all as family.”

We let each other go, both fighting back more tears.

Jeez, this wedding sure is making me into a wimp.

“I’m going to go start getting ready,” I said, and we went our separate ways.

By the time I came back downstairs, Lena was just about done. Her hair was done in fat curls, and I could see that Clarice had put on some mascara and light blush and eyeshadow.

“You look beautiful,” I said as I took her in.

“Thanks, Mom, I can’t wait to put on my dress.”

I’d let her pick out what she was going to wear today, and she’d chosen a pretty blue gown with a flouncy skirt.

Lena got dressed, then watched TV while Clarice was doing my hair and makeup.

I also had big, fat curls, but they were pulled back off of my face and cascaded down my back. We went with elegant makeup, to match my dress, and a pale-pink lip.

When I was done, Clarice drove us, and my dress, over to the cabin, then went inside to make sure the coast was clear before I went inside. I could see a little of the bustle as we entered, but Amy May ushered me upstairs before I could really see anything.

“You’ll see it all once it’s done,” she assured me, then it was just the two of us in Cade’s room. “Let’s get you dressed.”

“You look beautiful,” I said, taking in her sapphire-blue gown and up-do.

“Thanks. I thought about wearing one of my wigs for fun, but figured you’d get freaked out if Jason and I used your wedding for our role playing.”

I snorted a laugh, which was her intention, and said, “Y’all can get as kinky as you want, just wait until the reception. I don’t want nothing interfering with the actual ceremony.”

She was zipping up my gown when there was a knock on the door.

I turned around as Bea, Shannon, Carmen, and Cade’s mom all walked into the room.

“Oh Ku‘uipo, you look so beautiful,” Cade’s mom cried.

“I want to get married,” Carmen moaned.

“Wow,” Bea said.

“Thanks, you guys,” I said, running my hands lovingly over the skirt of my dress.

I felt like a princess.

“Something old.” Cade’s mom opened the box in her hand to show me a pair of pearl and diamond earrings. “They belonged to my mother, Cade’s grandmother.”